Science plays key roles in solving problems of global and local concern. But science never is the only force at work. Increasingly, science and expertise face stiff competition for influence. This module focuses on science when it is put to use in solutions. We concentrate on engagement between scientists and others within communities of interest coming together to solve problems. Think climate change, pandemics, earthquake prediction, or collapse…
Eugenics combined science and politics to create social policies intent on “improving the stock” of some human groups at the expense of others. This module investigates eugenics as a history of science and technology operating in cultures around the world. It considers eugenics as a history of people creating, interpreting, rejecting, and suffering from decisions grounded in scientific (and pseudo-scientific – this boundary is important)…
Stairwell conversation about office hours You: Hey Joe, what’s an “office hour”? Me: It’s a time when I’m in my office. You: Eh? Me: Sorry. It’s time reserved for students to visit. I’m in my office. I don’t make appointments. I’m there for drop-in visits from students. You: Yeah, but I can knock on your door whenever I want. Sometimes you’re in; sometimes, not. What’s…
The nineteenth century saw the origin of much of what we might identify as “modern” scientific and technological research and practice. Laboratories, factories explorations, empires – all had scientific significance and all were paramount in nineteenth century science. This is also perhaps the period which has enjoyed most sustained attention from historians of science. This course will give a critical introduction to some major themes…
Undergraduates in UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS) undertake final year projects resulting in dissertations or research reports. Professor Joe Cain supervises some students in this work, as do all academic staff in STS. The formal UCL module codes for include: HPSC0041 Dissertations (formerly HPSC3004) For students undertaking: History and Philosophy of Science BSc Science and Society BSc Sociology and the Politics of…
Postgraduate taught students in UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS) undertake summer research projects resulting in dissertations or research reports. Professor Joe Cain supervises some students in this work, as do all academic staff in STS. The formal UCL module codes include: HPSC0097 Research Projects (formerly HPSCGA98) For students undertaking: History and Philosophy of Science MSc Science, Technology, and Society MSc Role as supervisor…
Science and Technology Studies (STS) is an interdisciplinary field in which science and technology is examined from a number of different perspectives. (“Science” here is broadly understood and can include science, technology, medicine or mathematics.) Perspectives here are divided into History and Philosophy of Science (HPS) and Science and Society (SAS) topics. HPS includes history of science and philosophy of science, as well as integrated…
DSDP Interviews and Oral History (Doctoral School Training Workshop) | Homework Professor Joe Cain teaches this module at UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS) for UCL Doctoral School. This is a transcription exercise for ProfJoeCain’s “Interviews and Oral History” workshop. Instructions Listen to this 30-second audio clip (link to SoundCloud). Make a transcription. If it helps save a bit of typing, the…
We once loved zoos. They stood as an important symbol of science at its best. In the 21st century, this changed. Zoos are at the centre of many debates about the role of science in society, about the limits of human-animal interactions, and about the future of biodiversity in the wild. The module explores history, ethics, and policy as they relate to zoos. Students will…
The nineteenth century experienced a tremendous expansion of science. This module explores that expansion through the lens of popularization, public engagement, and presentation. We cover a variety of settings, including museums, lecture halls, publishing devices, parlours, and private collections, using London as a focus of our investigations. We also cover a variety of communities and types of activities, including professional societies, amateur clubs, working men’s…